1999 Mazda Protege DX from North America - Comments

4th Jul 2007, 09:58

I have a 1999 Mazda Protege LX with auto transmission. It was a previous rental that I bought with 14,000 miles on it. The Mass Air Sensor was replaced under warranty within the first year. Replaced the timing belt myself at 120,000 miles. I've done all maintenance myself. Had a cracked air cleaner hose, but I noticed it before it got so bad it created check engine light scenarios-the car has been good as gold. I get 31 mpg driving up the steep grades to Placerville and low to mid 40 mpg on other freeway driving. I haven't had ANY of the problems listed on this website. I now have 140,000 miles on the car. This is my 3rd Mazda.

12th Jul 2007, 07:33

I own a '99 ES with 107k miles. Check engine light has been on for 18 months. About once a month the car will run rough at startup with very little power, but after driving for a minute or two the problem goes away. Otherwise the car runs great. I had a mechanic look at it, but he couldn't find anything wrong. He reset the light before inspecting me in PA.

30th Jul 2007, 20:36

My 1999 Mazda Protege (LX) has the O/D light flashing and the check engine light is on all the time. It will not move out of first gear. It starts out fine, but once I accelerate the O/D light starts to flash and its stuck in first. Has anyone had this problem?

20th Aug 2007, 18:41

Having a problem with our '98 Mazda Protege. Got an oil change, drove a few KM and the Check Engine light comes on. Now the car has an extremely rough idle, and is jumpy on low end acceleration. Any ideas? Have heard cleaning Mass Airflow Sensor may solve problem - how is this done? matthew.mantle@gmail.com.

29th Aug 2007, 22:52

I recently bought a 1999 Mazda Protege LX with 5 sp manual and 55,000 miles. It is a delight to drive, gets great mileage and is spotless (next to the smoke odor that I am working on). I noticed the top of the rear door panels jut above the window line about 1/4"...tried pushing them back down; anyone have any suggestions? No check engine light problems or anything else... so far!!

13th Sep 2007, 08:55

I just bought a 95 Protege ES 5 speed with about 98,000 miles on it. Less than a week since I bought it I have had problems with serious hesitation. Initially filling the gas tank helped me make it to my mechanic without whiplash. I think he is looking for a sensor. This is my 2nd Mazda - I bought this one when it was determined that my beloved 90 RX7 with 202,000 miles on it needed a complete engine rebuild. Still have the RX7 (untagged and in storage) but the Protege cost me $500 less than the engine rebuild. I have already experienced the "Check Engine" light (just after filling the gas tank) which my mechanic said was nothing after checking it out. Oh, and the power door locks for the 2 back windows from the driver position stopped working on my way in this morning.

I'm withholding judgement, but if the couple of hiccups I'm having are fixed I think I will enjoy my Protege. It's a bit of a change from an RX7, but I like it so far...

25th Sep 2007, 15:03

I just bought a 2000 Protege DX for my daughter. The check engine light came on while we were looking at the car and got me $200 off an already low price. The code says it is a problem with the manifold absolute pressure sensor. I have found the part online for about $130, but the picture looks nothing like anything mounted on the car. I have the Haynes manual for this car, which I could get more use from if I take it to the restroom than using it to troubleshoot the car.

While I am pricing and awaiting delivery of the shop manual for the car, does anyone here know exactly where the MAP sensor is located on the 1.6 litre engine?

24th Jan 2008, 03:13

Car broke down tonight. Has been leaking oil for some time, mechanic said 99 Mazda Protege LX had multiple oil leaks and they couldn't tell where oil was leaking from as it was everywhere. Been constantly checking oil levels, tonight check engine light came on, and oil was pouring out of car... car started smoking in the rear, had to tow it back to the mechanic at 1a! Have to call in the morning to find out how much its gonna set me back...I've had check engine light problems twice before, it was due to clogged EGR valves and costs about $250 to get the light turned off and problem fixed this time I think it came on because of oil leaks... anyone else have problem with oil leaks? If so email me at ag21west@rocketmail.com.

28th Feb 2008, 18:31

I have a 2000 Mazda Protege Dx and my check engine light is on. I think it may be the map sensor. That is what the reader thing came up with at auto zone. It seems to be running OK, but the light is making me crazy. Someone on here said there was a recall on 2000 mazda protege sensors. Is that true? Does not show that under recalls. Anyway, my mazda has been pretty good to me over the years. I hope getting the sensor replaced fixes the problem.

29th Feb 2008, 15:29

I have an automatic 1999 Mazda protege ES. Although I can say it's been a good car (for almost 10 years) it's starting to fall apart with only approx 125,000 miles!

The check engine light started popping up about 3 years ago and it has been a constant battle ever since. The first big buck operation that I had done on the car was a custom transmission rebuild (which after reading all of the above comments might have been unnecessary), catalytic converter replacement, spark plug replacement, air hose replacements, etc. All of the above ran to a tune of about $2350.00.

Now, only 6 months later the check engine light is on again. The code that it's putting out is P0171! It just recently starting jerking uncontrollably whenever I step on the gas to accelerate, and it seems to be running with A LOT of noise under the hood. I had an intake gasket replaced a few days ago to the tune of $475! This car is starting to drain my wallet... and the check engine light is STILL ON!!!

This is HORRIBLE timing (as always) as I am a student with one more year of school left. I need this car to hold out for one more year so that I can graduate, get a job, and finally afford to get a new car with a car payment.

This car is paid off and I really don't want to buy a new car, since this one only has about 125,000 miles on it. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? PLEASE HELP!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! unccocoa@yahoo.com